Firenze

I checked in to the Rivoli Hotel late in the afternoon from a series of long flights and connection completely exhausted and starving. I had seen the restaurants reviews, and decided I’d try to get a last minute reservation, which I luckily did — and it was worth every penny! The staff were extremely friendly and the food was divine. I ordered the rigatoni cacio e pepe and the beef in chianti. Excellent small portions by American standards yet both dishes were beautifully laid out, extremely tasty, and the portions perfect to be served in sequence. I finished with a vin santo dessert with crumbled cantucci which should not be missed. The staff were extremely helpful and very efficient, explaining how food was prepared and making great recommendations and suggestions. I highly recommend a visit for an excellent Tuscan meal for a bit of a splurge.

After being turned away by full restaurant after full restaurant, I wandered bleary-eyed and starving into Ristorante Benedicta. The servers were so solicitous. They fit me in despite it being a busy night, and I was treated with the utmost kindness. My squid ravioli was absolutely perfect (that sauceee), and the roasted pear dessert was wonderful. I heard over and over the staff getting to know their patrons like friends. It was a lovely experience, and I highly recommend.

Great restaurant. We selected this restaurant because we were staying at the hotel, also a great hotel. Dinner was delicious. We ate breakfast several times because of the hotel. One morning I asked our server how to say Happy Birthday in Italian because it was my daughter's 15th birthday. Minutes later chocolate cake with a candle, Chantilly and Happy Birthday sung by the restaurant.

This place is real fancy, really tasty food and we sat in the garden out back. The guy serving us explained to us what everything the stuff on the menu was, like he just went through the whole list and told us what it was and why he liked it. He managed to flog us a bottle of wine too using all the buzzwords like elegant and smooth. We bit hook line and sinker. The price was real high like but worth it if you want to live like someone who wears a tie. Small portions too but yknow that’s posh places for you.

The food is as fabulous as the service. With a limited menu (by American standards), everything is delicious. I’d highly recommend.